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Share this Story: More than 1,000 total jobs expected to be lost at U of A over loss in provincial funding

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More than 1,000 jobs are expected to be lost at the University of Alberta over lost funding from the provincial government in the past two budgets, says president David Turpin.

Speaking to media Friday, Turpin said 400 positions have already been lost through attrition and layoffs and he expects another 600 layoffs in the coming year as the university faces a $110-million loss in funding.

More than 1,000 total jobs expected to be lost at U of A over loss in provincial fundingBack to video

“We are changing our academic programming. Last year alone, we cancelled 30 programs and there will be more coming. We have looked at major restructuring and we’ll continue to do this,” said Turpin.

The Government of Alberta declined to comment Friday evening.

Post-secondary expenses are estimated at $4.6 billion In the 2020 fiscal plan, which has yet to receive final approval. That’s a drop from the $5.012 billion in operating expenses in the 2019 fiscal plan. The Ministry of Advanced Education’s total operating expenses were cut by about $346 million.

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“Our focus is entirely on protecting the quality of the teaching, learning and research environment,” said Turpin. “This is a university that, over 100 years, has driven the social, cultural and economic development of this region, this province and the nation. Our job is to maintain that incredibly important role in our society.”

Turpin said the university is working closely with the province to find a way to manage the cuts. He said he hopes they can save between 200 and 300 jobs but they need clarity once the budget is approved.

“As we face these major challenges, we know that we will work through them but it will result in some major reorganization here at the University of Alberta,” said Turpin.

Turpin did not discuss what individual positions had been cut. He said the university would keep the public informed as work continues to unfold.

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